Do NOT eat before morning workout.

kychoie0330
kychoie0330 Posts: 9 Member
edited November 25 in Health and Weight Loss
Now I have read in numerous fitness magazines that's you'll burn more than 400% more fat if you were to work out in the morning on an empty stomach rather than eating, then working out.

I am currently on a keto diet with a 35% calorie deficiency (1450kcals/day). I started off my day with an intense boxing workout consuming no more than a one-a-day multivitamin and drinking a lot of water.

Although the workout was intense, I felt like my body was crapping out on me. Throwing punch combinations all sloppy and gassing out quickly.


My question is that am I working my body too hard with no fuel? My hopes are to burn the existing fat cells in the body but am I sacrificing too much muscle if I keep this a daily routine? Thanks for any input! :)

Replies

  • Kalikel
    Kalikel Posts: 9,603 Member
    If you feel weaker without breakfast, then eat breakfast!

    Do not get your health info from fitness magazines. They aren't you and they aren't health experts.

    The "400% more" statistic - I'd bet my house that it's wrong. Fwiw.
  • senecarr
    senecarr Posts: 5,377 Member
    Unless you're doing multiple hours of cardio, you're not changing your overall daily calories burn macro percentage. Burning fat on an empty stomach in the morning just leads to your body burning more of other macros later.
  • nutmegoreo
    nutmegoreo Posts: 15,532 Member
    If you're not getting what you want from your workout, try eating something. If I do an intense workout in the morning (which rarely happens because mornings suck), I need to have something lighter for the fuel. Banana and peanut butter about an hour before works for me (any closer to the workout and I feel like throwing up). You need to figure out what works for you. The fat will burn off if you are eating fewer calories than you burn throughout the day (including your BMR).
  • absoluttalent
    absoluttalent Posts: 40 Member
    From what I've read, it's best to eat a small meal/snack 30-60 minutes pre workout. Small enough that you know you will work off immediately, but it also gets your body ramped to use your stored energy. It basically gives you that boost so you don't get sluggish before your body switches tanks to your reserves
  • Bshmerlie
    Bshmerlie Posts: 1,026 Member
    You could pull stats both ways on this issue. But I think this is an easy answer. Eat breakfast to fuel your workout. It doesn't have to be a big one just something so you're not doing it on an empty stomach.
  • rainbowbow
    rainbowbow Posts: 7,490 Member
    I like to sip BCAAs during my workouts, but this is just my preference.

    I get sick and usually vomit if i eat within 2-3 hours of a workout.

    IMO do whatever is best for you.
  • stevencloser
    stevencloser Posts: 8,911 Member
    What senecarr said. It's not going to make a difference in the whole scheme of things. You'll burn some more bodyfat when you exercise without eating first, but you'll store more food later on instead because your overall intake is still the same and your total expenditure didn't change.
  • healthygreek
    healthygreek Posts: 2,137 Member
    I do really well if I eat 2 eggs and a slice of toast an hour before my 1+ hour workout every morning. If I don't eat this, I poop out halfway through it.
  • JustMissTracy
    JustMissTracy Posts: 6,338 Member
    I've attempted to workout on an empty stomach a few times, always with very disappointing results...no vroom vroom in my tank....
  • Kimegatron
    Kimegatron Posts: 772 Member
    I can't go walking within 2 hours of eating a large meal because I feel heavy and tired, so I make sure I eat hours before. That is all I have to add, ha ha! I do eat after, though
  • JustMissTracy
    JustMissTracy Posts: 6,338 Member
    Kimegatron wrote: »
    I can't go walking within 2 hours of eating a large meal because I feel heavy and tired, so I make sure I eat hours before. That is all I have to add, ha ha! I do eat after, though

    Not related to the topic...LOVE your hair! xo
  • sheermomentum
    sheermomentum Posts: 827 Member
    Fitness magazines are not a reliable source of information. They do have pretty pictures, though, and can recommend the most expensive new designer workout clothes.

    I don't eat before working out in the morning, but that is purely personal choice. The timing of your food consumption has zero to do with your loss.
  • rainbowbow
    rainbowbow Posts: 7,490 Member
    Fitness magazines are not a reliable source of information. They do have pretty pictures, though, and can recommend the most expensive new designer workout clothes.

    I don't eat before working out in the morning, but that is purely personal choice. The timing of your food consumption has zero to do with your loss.

    in this case there is some evidence for calorie burn being higher while fasted. Fasted cardio, however, is useless if you lack the energy to even perform in the first place and the difference is not enough to worry about.
  • ariana_eatsandlifts
    ariana_eatsandlifts Posts: 197 Member
    From experience, my workouts suffer if I haven't eaten. One time in college, I almost passed out. So embarrassing! I always try to at least grab some crackers or a piece of cheese on my way out.
  • Kimegatron
    Kimegatron Posts: 772 Member
    Kimegatron wrote: »
    I can't go walking within 2 hours of eating a large meal because I feel heavy and tired, so I make sure I eat hours before. That is all I have to add, ha ha! I do eat after, though

    Not related to the topic...LOVE your hair! xo

    LMAO! Thank you! Thankfully I work at a job where they embrace the crazy aspects of their employees :D
  • stevencloser
    stevencloser Posts: 8,911 Member
    rainbowbow wrote: »
    Fitness magazines are not a reliable source of information. They do have pretty pictures, though, and can recommend the most expensive new designer workout clothes.

    I don't eat before working out in the morning, but that is purely personal choice. The timing of your food consumption has zero to do with your loss.

    in this case there is some evidence for calorie burn being higher while fasted. Fasted cardio, however, is useless if you lack the energy to even perform in the first place and the difference is not enough to worry about.

    Source for that? It doesn't really make sense from a survival standpoint that you'd burn more calories if you've not eaten anything.
  • Liftng4Lis
    Liftng4Lis Posts: 15,151 Member
    I never eat before my work out and I'm fine. It's all about personal preference.
  • rainbowbow
    rainbowbow Posts: 7,490 Member
    rainbowbow wrote: »
    Fitness magazines are not a reliable source of information. They do have pretty pictures, though, and can recommend the most expensive new designer workout clothes.

    I don't eat before working out in the morning, but that is purely personal choice. The timing of your food consumption has zero to do with your loss.

    in this case there is some evidence for calorie burn being higher while fasted. Fasted cardio, however, is useless if you lack the energy to even perform in the first place and the difference is not enough to worry about.

    Source for that? It doesn't really make sense from a survival standpoint that you'd burn more calories if you've not eaten anything.

    well, i haven't got them bookmarked but either way i've seen contradicting studies:

    http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22248495

    http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25429252

    The studies i have seen that support the idea it burns more overall fat in a fasted state is not significant enough to warrant intentionally fasted cardio. I believe also (if i'm remembering correctly) it really only had a significant impact on those individuals with already low levels of body fat.
  • Optimistical1
    Optimistical1 Posts: 210 Member
    Now I have read in numerous fitness magazines that's you'll burn more than 400% more fat if you were to work out in the morning on an empty stomach rather than eating, then working out.

    I am currently on a keto diet with a 35% calorie deficiency (1450kcals/day). I started off my day with an intense boxing workout consuming no more than a one-a-day multivitamin and drinking a lot of water.

    Although the workout was intense, I felt like my body was crapping out on me. Throwing punch combinations all sloppy and gassing out quickly.


    My question is that am I working my body too hard with no fuel? My hopes are to burn the existing fat cells in the body but am I sacrificing too much muscle if I keep this a daily routine? Thanks for any input! :)

    Multivitamins make me nauseated on an empty stomach :-/
    Are you taking BCAAs before and after your workout. If not then it's definitely worth researching. They will give you extra energy, help preserve muscle while you workout in a fasted state and help with post workout muscle recovery. I take BCAAs along with L-glutamine. I'm still new to intermittent fasting and training while fasting so I am by no means an expert, but I highly suggest you research BCAAs.
  • tracie_minus100
    tracie_minus100 Posts: 465 Member
    I accidentally did fasted cardio one morning (honestly just didn't think about the fact that I hadn't eaten and was wanting to get it done) and yeah, never again. Some people swear by it, but my body hates it. Worst workout ever.
  • rileysowner
    rileysowner Posts: 8,331 Member
    http://www.jissn.com/content/11/1/54/abstract

    No significant difference. Certainly not 400%
This discussion has been closed.